Question 1

Can I pause the proctored assessment once I begin?

Accepted Answer

No, you may not pause once you have started the proctored assessment.

Question 2

Can I have a blank piece of paper to write on for the ALEKS assessment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, paper/pencil are permitted. A calculator is built into the ALEKS platform and no other materials are permitted.

Question 3

Can I skip a question on the ALEKS assessment?

Accepted Answer

If you do not know the answer to a question, you can select “I Don’t Know.” You are not able to return to questions once you’ve submitted the answer. The ALEKS assessment is adaptive release, so you are given subsequent questions based on previous responses.

Question 4

Can I take a practice assessment?

Accepted Answer

No, there is no ALEKS practice assessment. You will take a proctored attempt and then have the option to do 8 hours of remediation before taking an optional second proctored attempt

Question 5

Can the ALEKS assessment be waived?

Accepted Answer

The ALEKS assessment cannot be waived for incoming students. All first-time freshman students entering summer or fall 2024 must take ALEKS.

Question 6

Do I have to complete the 8 hours of remediation if I want to take a second proctored ALEKS attempt?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you must complete the full 8 hours of remediation before taking the second proctored attempt.

Question 7

Do I have to set up my WVU Portal before taking ALEKS?

Accepted Answer

Admitted students must have claimed their WVU account and logged into the WVU Portal to have access to the ALEKS assessment.

Question 8

Do I have to submit the academic deposit to take ALEKS?

Accepted Answer

Incoming freshmen are required to have an academic deposit on file to take ALEKS. Transfer students should work with their advisers to determine whether ALEKS Placement is necessary.

Question 9

Do I have to take ALEKS again if I took the assessment for dual enrollment or ACCESS courses?

Accepted Answer

Yes, students enrolled in WVU ACCESS, or another high school dual enrollment program, are required to take the assessment again even if previously taken and used for placement.

Question 10

Do I have to take ALEKS if I have ACT or SAT scores, AP or IB credit, or dual enrollment courses?

Accepted Answer

All incoming first-time freshmen are required to take ALEKS regardless of test scores on file, AP, IB or dual enrollment math credit. If ACT/SAT scores, AP, IB or dual enrollment advances the student’s math placement beyond their ALEKS assessment, then the academic adviser will review during New Student Orientation advising and course scheduling.

Question 11

Do I need to come to campus to take ALEKS?

Accepted Answer

No. The ALEKS math assessment includes online proctoring.

Question 12

Do I need to take the ALEKS math assessment?

Accepted Answer

ALEKS is required for all incoming first-time freshman students. You should take the assessment before your advising appointment. Find more information about ALEKS.

Question 13

Does the ALEKS score transfer to other universities?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the university. Some institutions will take ALEKS scores from elsewhere, while others will not. WVU does not accept ALEKS scores from another institution.

Question 14

How long does it take to the get my ALEKS results?

Accepted Answer

You'll get your ALEKS results immediately in eCampus upon completing the assessment.

Question 15

How much time do I have to take the proctored versions of ALEKS?

Accepted Answer

You have 2 hours to take each proctored assessment.

Question 16

If ALEKS puts me in a higher level class, do I have to take it or can I stay at the lower level?

Accepted Answer

You do not have to take the high level class; however, this is something you will discuss with your advisor. If you're an incoming student, you'll talk with your advisor in your appointment over the summer.

Question 17

Is there a deadline to take the ALEKS assessment?

Accepted Answer

If you’re an incoming student, you should take ALEKS before your advising appointment. If you have additional questions, please contact your WVU admissions counselor.

Current students must request ALEKS placement to begin. We begin accepting requests 4 days before registration begins and stop accepting requests 2 days before classes begin.

Question 18

Is there a fee to take ALEKS?

Accepted Answer

For incoming freshmen and transfer students, there’s no fee to take ALEKS math placement.

Current WVU students pay a nonrefundable fee of $20 to take ALEKS.

Question 19

What if ALEKS improved my standing for direct admission to a major?

Accepted Answer

For incoming freshmen and transfer students, the Office of Admissions will reconcile ALEKS scores that impact direct admission to majors, with the exception of Nursing. You’ll automatically receive information 3-4 weeks after proctored testing if there are any changes to report.

Question 20

What if I have an IEP, 504 or need to request accommodations for ALEKS?

Accepted Answer

High school IEP and 504 plans do not apply to ALEKS testing. You may inquire with the Office of Accessibility and request accommodations by submitting an application.

WVU adheres to the highest standards related to academic integrity. There is no benefit to inflating or deflating your abilities on the ALEKS math assessment. Incorrect placement can delay graduation and negatively affect your GPA. Dishonest work on this assessment may be cause for sanctions.

Question 21

What if I score poorly on the ALEKS assessment?

Accepted Answer

You will have the option to take remediation modules if you are unhappy with your first score. You will then be able to take a second proctored attempt. The highest proctored score will be used for placement.

Question 22

What is the average time it takes to complete the ALEKS proctored assessment?

Accepted Answer

On average, students take between 60-70 minutes to complete the proctored version.

Question 23

Who do I contact if I have questions about ALEKS?

Accepted Answer

Contact wvuadmissions@mail.wvu.edu for questions pertaining to the ALEKS math placement requirement for incoming first-time freshmen.

For questions related to the assessment, technology, remediation and access through eCampus, contact placement@math.wvu.edu.

Technical Support
Having trouble taking the proctored assessment? Try these resources to troubleshoot:

Question 24

Why am I required to take ALEKS regardless of prior standardized tests, placement testing or college-level course placement (such as AP, IB or dual enrollment)?

Accepted Answer

ALEKS is a tool utilized to determine math and science readiness. These courses are demanding and serve as foundational courses for many majors.

ALEKS may advance your math standing vs. other assessments, which directly impacts matriculation and time to degree completion.
Having an ALEKS score on file ensures correct placement should you decide to change your major, rather than relying on a previous placement that may not meet the required math or science benchmark.
You may find that your preparedness has declined since taking elevated coursework, and the ALEKS assessment will help to define the best placement for your personalized learning path.
ALEKS is designed to identify instructional gaps in college-prep curriculum.
ALEKS offers an equitable assessment for all test takers that meets our New Student Orientation timeline for course scheduling.

Question 25

Why do I have to take ALEKS again if I’ve already taken it for dual enrollment or high school?

Accepted Answer

You may have previously taken ALEKS for collegiate dual enrollment or high school placement. However, your math knowledge, skillset and foundation will most likely have improved since taking such courses. An updated assessment is necessary for accurate placement, and you may place higher.

Question 26

Will my admission to WVU, or my scholarship, be rescinded if I do not meet a minimum ALEKS assessment benchmark?

Accepted Answer

ALEKS is only used for placement. We will not rescind admission or decrease merit scholarships based on the ALEKS assessment.

How to Take the ALEKS Math Assessment

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About ALEKS

What is the ALEKS Assessment?

Why It's Important

Accessibility and Academic Integrity

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